Katelin Memoir

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader Katelin Graham By obtaining a high school diploma, students are required to attend 2,340 days of school, yet students are not feeling prepared for college. In the short 18 years I have been alive, I have attended 2,291 days of school and completed over 900 assignments. 5th grade was by far my most beneficial year of learning. Waking up as an eleven year old on your first day of school was extraordinarily exciting. ¨Mom, mom, mom,¨ I yelled while running up the basement stairs, ¨It is time for school we´re going to be late.¨ I raced to the laundry room and grabbed my pink strappy sandals. I opened the garage to find a bright sunny day. ¨Wow,¨ my mom said from the kitchen, ¨It is 87 degrees.¨ Even though it was July, I was determined to have a good first day of school. My older sister Kenzie was in middle school, and she didn´t start school until the end of August. My neighborhood was too big to have a traditional school schedule, so we had to start school in the middle of summer. Foothills Elementary was five minutes from my house. As my mom jogged, I rode my scooter. A fresh breeze elegantly blew my blonde hair, and the wind tickled the green grass. We arrived at school with several minutes to spare. Across the field, I saw my best friend. “Ava,” I screamed. I ran over and gave her the biggest hug an eleven year old could. We conversed about our fun short summer. “Brrring,” the school bell rang gaining our attention. Ava and I dashed to our portable, and our moms followed behind us. 23 other kids were already lined up. The door swung open and a tall lady with dark curly hair spoke, “Hello everyone my name is Mrs. Kovacs. Come on in.” I waited patiently to to meet my new teacher. When it was finally my turn, I walked up the small steps and gave Mrs. Kovacs a great big high five. Then I proceeded into the nice cool portable. I found the desk with my name tag, and my mom pulled up a chair and sat beside me. “Welcome to fifth grade students. This year is going to be one for the books. One of my favorite activities we will consistently work on deals with learning about the United States. Each

one of you will have the amazing opportunity to earn a Young American Award.” I made eye contact with Ava and we giggled in excitement. “The Young American Award is only given to students who work hard and memorize states, capitals, and presidents. Students will also be required to answer 100 questions relating to the government and how it functions. The main purpose of the Young American program is to inform young students the needed information in becoming successful adults.” I was ready for a challenge, and 5th grade was exactly that. The first few weeks flew by, and my knowledge of America grew extensively. Each morning I woke up ready to learn, and each day I came home ready to study. As an 11 year old, life was simple. School was fun. Weeks turned into months, and before I knew it the end of the year was quickly approaching. I had easily memorized my states, capitals, and presidents. My class was getting ready for our 5th grade program (which I was not excited about). We had to sing a collection of cheesy songs, and I knew my mom and dad would be sitting in the front row of the audience with a video camera. The only assignment I had left to complete was the 100 questions. I spent hours at my computer scoping the internet for answers. The assignment was brutal, but my stubborn self was determined to finish it. Finally, after days in of searching, I completed the assignment. The 5th grade program slowly crept onto my class, and June 15 instantaneously came. Each student in my class received a red American flag tshirt. The whole 5th grade lined up on the stage in the auditorium. About one hundred parents sat on soft folding chairs. I looked up to find my mom and dad on the second row to the right. I could see the camera in my mom’s hand, and my face conveyed a worried look. The lights in the auditorium dimmed, and Mrs. Kovacs proceeded on stage. “Good afternoon parents. I am extremely excited to show you all what we have been working on all year. Enjoy!” One of the other teachers played a couple notes on the piano which was our cue to get ready and sing. We sang a dreadful six songs, but then we were done. We sat back down in our chairs while each 5th grade teacher stood by the mic. “We are now going to announce our Young

American Awards,” Mrs. Kovacs said. She went through roughly half of my class when she said, “Katelin Graham.” I stood up out of my seat and walked over to the mic. A man dressed in camo gave me a medal and a little American flag. I smiled, and my mom took my picture. My time in 5th grade soared, and the year was over. Fast forward eight years and everything seemed to change. School became a stressful challenge. When did learning stop being enjoyable? In five short months, I will be required to live an adult life away from the comforts I have grown up with. Am I really prepared for college? Spending 13 years in school, I have been in countless math, art, science, english, and history classes, yet I learned the most in 5th grade. Mrs Kovacs taught me what it truly meant to be a citizen and how the real world works. As an eleven year old, I learned how life and college went in simple terms. There was nobody pressuring me to pick a career. Mrs. Kovacs biggest concern was preparing her students for the authentic world. If I am ready for college, it is because of 5th grade.